Dwight Howard’s Trade to Los Angeles Lakers and comparison with Andrew Bynum – NBA feature (Part 3)
Defensive Game
Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum are both extremely effective when it protecting their rim. Both the bigs have a wingspan and the presence that can send chills down the spines of even the best of the forwards.
Bynum, who stands at 7 foot, is like an immovable wall at the back for the Lakers. He is as persistent a defender as you will find in a league and his physicality often means that he gets the better of the opposing players
Howard though a bit short 6 foot 11 inches, goes a step further when it come to dominating on the glass. With a muscular physique and an eye for opponent’s move, he is a giant on the back court. He hasn’t been the league’s leading
shot blocker for nothing.
What makes Howard a better defender than Bynum is that he is a live wire; rolls over the screens and is also not afraid to pin down point guards who usually burst through outside defence. This fact also lands in a fouling trouble
and last year he led the league in technicals. However as long as he gets the job done, all is good.
It was because of this edge, Howard was able to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award thrice and at the same time and got selected for the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Bynum being one of the top ten defenders of the league
has failed to achieve any of those honours as yet.
Howard once again takes the lead in this department of the game. Despite his do-all role in the Magic, he is a better defender in comparison to 23 year old Bynum, who made it to the NBA just one year after Howard.
Blocked Shots
Both Bynum and Howard are top shot blockers.
Bynum has played 332 games in his entire career and holds an average of 1.5 blocks per game. He makes good use of his height (7 ft. 0) when it comes to blocking the shot.
Howard on the other hand has participated in 567 games since 2004 when the Magic selected him as the first overall from the National Basketball Association Draft. In a six year career, Howard has maintained a blocked shots average
of 2.2 blocks per games.
In the previous season Howard’s average was 2.4 blocks per game and he diverted almost the same amount of shots. In contrast to Dwight, Bynum’s block shot average in the last season was 2.0 per game.
Keeping that difference in mind, it seems that there isn’t much difference between the two players. Surely Howard with a doubt is ahead of Bynum when it comes to number, but the fact cannot be ignored that Bynum is not the only
big in the purple and gold colours. He has certain Pau Gasol by his side and together, these bigs have been one of the most influential back court duos in the last five years.
So, as far as the shot blocking comparison between Howard and Bynum is concerned, it is hard to call a winner.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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